The Newsletter of the Sanibel-Captiva Audubon Society

P.O. Box 957 Sanibel, Florida 33957

Newsletter reply only:

14720 Lake Olive Dr Fort Myers, FL 33919 jeanted@embarqmail.com 239-415-0935

Sponsored by

We’re proud to give back to the community

we call home

In This Issue…….

….Legislative Update

….Photo Contest

….New Board Member

….Native Plant Nursery Alert

….Blind Pass Dredging Project

….Living With Dragons

….local events

Spring

2009

Please visit

www.sancapaudubon.org

FIRST CLASS MAIL

Message From the President

Our Mission: Promoting Interests in Wildlife on Sanibel and Captiva Islands, and fostering the Cause of Conservation with Emphasis on Birds and their Habitat.

The Pileated Woodpecker

The Newsletter of the Sanibel-Captiva Audubon Society

Spring 2009 Vol 34 No 3 PO Box 957 Sanibel, Florida 3957-0957

Welcome to spring wherever you may be at this time of year. Personally, I’ve doubled up on my

blood pressure and anti-depressant medications as we follow the antics of our legislators in Tallahas-

see. As of the time of this message, House Bill 1219 to drill off the gulf coast has been stopped by

the Senate (this bill was supported by Trudi Williams). Audubon of Florida is still fighting to save

Florida Forever, wetland protection and the oversight provided by the Department of Community

Affairs. A timely reading is Paving Paradise by Craig Pittman, investigative journalists for the Pul-

itzer Prize winning St. Petersburg Times. Chapter 13 is a highlight of events in southwest Florida

that have led to the destruction of major wetlands in spite of the promise of “no net loss” through

mitigation and other failed plans. It’s not easy reading but it is essential to understand the history

and forces at work that lead to the circus up in Tallahassee. We all need to support advocacy efforts

at Audubon of Florida led by Eric Draper.

On a positive note, we are proud to have a new board member. Phyllis Gresham is an avid birder,

educator and vegetation expert with lots to share….get to know Phyllis! Hugh Verry led our suc-

cessful Bird Outings on Saturdays. Bill Jacobsen is preparing for our Christmas Bird Count next

December 19th. His wife Elaine has another fabulous program series lined up for 2010 (hard to com-

prehend!). Jean Reuther is initiating an electronic newsletter in color and Chris Andrews continues

to serve as Treasurer of Audubon of Florida while covering the major conservation issues and hold-

ing our first Science Day with Audubon last February 27th. Presently, Sanibel-Captiva Audubon has

over 42 volunteers doing Bird Monitoring for the Blind Pass Dredging Project which is not only

raising funds for us but is providing an interesting education project for those using our beaches and

as a bird nesting awareness site. Many thanks to Jim Griffith, Sue Harpham and Malcolm Harpham

and those who rose to the occasion – often before daylight to represent Audubon.

Because of our successful program se-

ries, a subcommittee of Dale McGinley,

Dolores Mishell our Treasurer, Malcolm and Jim were able to

distribute over $6,000 to various environmental and conser-

vation causes this year, including support for Sanibel-Captiva

groups as well as Audubon of Florida spoonbill and wood

stork research. We hope to explore various options to lend

our services to the environmental community in and around

Sanibel-Captiva.

Thank you for supporting Audubon over the past year and we

look forward to our return in November and your involve-

ment in the 2009-2010 season. Best wishes in your summer

adventures.

All the best,

Paul

BOARD

MEMBERS

Paul Andrews, Pres. Jim Griffith, Vice Pres. Susan Harpham, Sec. Dolores Mishell Treas. Chris Andrews Kevin Bowden Phyllis Gresham Malcolm Harpham Elaine Jacobson Dale McGinley Brian Mishell Jean Reuther Hugh Verry

A happy Jerry Lorenz accept a check presented by Presi-

dent Paul Andrews from Sanibel-Captiva Audubon to fur-

The Pileated Woodpecker Spring 09 page 2

It’s been a challenging legislative session for Audubon of Florida

policy advocates and that is an understatement. Budget pres-

sures in Florida have translated into significant pressures on our

natural resources in the name of economic development. The

budget will most likely not be passed by Friday as required by

Florida’s constitution but should be passed in May. The house

reached a new low today tying Florida Forever and Everglades

Funding to passage of a bill to open the gulf to drilling within 3

miles of the coastline. Oil companies are now proposing to only

drill around the pristine panhandle coastline. SB 274 Springs

Protection proposed by Sen. Lee Constantine did not have a

sponsor in the Senate and died. Florida’s growth management is

being sacrificed in the name of economic development by SB 730

sponsored by Sen. Mike Bennett that proposes elimination of the

Dept. of Community Affairs. Per Audubon of Florida, “We are

concerned that the weakening or dismantling of this agency

would have a detrimental and long-lasting affect on Florida's

economy and environment. Florida cannot afford to lose such a

critically important mission. Without an effective DCA, we fear

that many of today's problems, resulting from prior poor land use

decisions, will be repeated in the future.” Check our website for

the end of this saga and please consider stepping up your per-

sonal advocacy by signing up for the Audubon Advocate.

FLORIDA LEGISLATIVE UPDATE Chris Andrews

It’s so easy! Go to Audubon of Florida.org, click on

‘Take Action’, then click on ’sign up’. Done!

PRIZES

A dream trip to Peru, Australia, or Honduras, or profes-

sional photo gear. Audubon Magazine’s first photogra-

phy awards, BIRDS IN FOCUS, in association with

Nature’s Best Photography. The winning entry will

appear in the January-February issue of Audubon and in

Nature’s Best Photography.

Enter: May 15 to July 15, 2009, Catego-ries: Professional, Amateur, Youth (13-17) Details:

wwwaudubonmagazinephotoawards.org

HERE IS A CALL TO ALL THE REALLY GREAT BIRD PHOTOGRAPHERS IN THE AREA. We’ve seen your works at the

Refuge, in local shows, in programs, and on the PowerPoint show before the meet-ings. Come forward and enter:

AUDUBON MAGAZINE First

PHOTOGRAPHY AWARDS BIRDS IN FOCUS

OUR MONEY AT WORK The Sanibel-Captiva Audubon Board is able to name more

than $6000 in grants, donations, or memberships. This

year’s list of recipients include:

Audubon of Florida - spoonbill research

Audubon of Florida - Corkscrew Sanctuary

C.R.O.W.

SCCF

Bayous Preservation Association

Audubon Academy

International Osprey Foundation

PURRE

Ding Darling Wildlife Society

Six Mile Cypress

Friends of Corkscrew

Whooping Crane Conservation Association - life member-

ship in memory of Ted Reuther

2010 PROGRAM SCHEDULE Another year, another great lineup of Thursday evening programs await us. Elaine Jacobson performs her magic once again and finds great speakers, among them Dr PJ Deitschel and John Ogden. Look for the complete 2010 schedule in the Fall edition of this news-letter. You won’t be disappointed.

The Pileated Woodpecker Spring 09 page 3

There is nothing in which the birds differ more from man than the way in which they can build and yet leave a landscape as it was before.

---Robert Lynd 1879-1949

Go through your phone book, call people and ask them to drive you to the airport. The ones who will drive you are your true friends. The rest aren’t bad people; they’re just acquaintances.

---Jay Leno 1950 -

Hugh Verry sends us a fabulous site to visit. Be sure to check out: http://www.stateofthebirds.org/

The e-Pileated Woodpecker. An electronic copy of the newsletter, in full color, delivered directly to your inbox, is available. All you have to do is e-mail your electronic address, and you can enjoy paper-saving, cost-cutting, conven-ient, colorful reading. The current issue (Spring, this time) of the

newsletter will not appear on the Audubon website,

but back issues will still be available. Write or call

if you have further questions or comments. Jean

Reuther, Editor and Membership Chair, 239-415-

0935. jeanted@embarqmail.com.

Photo Credits: snowy owl, Gerrit Vyn; greater prairie chicken,

Gerrit Vyn; magnolia warbler, Pamela Wells; Osprey, James Livaudais.

SAN CAP AUDUBON GETS NEW BOARD

MEMBER Phyllis Gresham is a welcomed addition to your Audubon

Board. No stranger to anyone on Sanibel, Phyllis brings

experience as well as new blood to the group. Originally

from New England, where she was a school nurse prac-

tioner, she is on the Board of ZONTA, (professional

women’s organization) serves at the desk at the Refuge as

well as doing

the story hour

and plant

walks, is Chair

of the City

Vegetation

Committee,

and organizes

the Friday

Birding at the

Preserve for

SCCF. We are

so happy to

have this ener-

getic, friendly,

and respected

lady working

with us.

THE STATE OF THE BIRDS

The United States of America

2009

The Pileated Woodpecker Spring 09 page 4

Floyd, Ted, Smithsonian Field Guide to the Birds of

North America. Harper Row Collins, New York,

2008. $24.95

This book would make an excellent addition

to a birdwatcher’s reference shelf.

Contains outstanding photographs of the male, fe-

male, and juvenile of more than 750 bird species.

Features excellent five color range maps indicating

breeding, winter, year-round, summer, and migra-

tion ranges.

Design: all information for each species is on the

same page; description of each family at begin-

ning of each section; comprehensive introduction;

two indexes.

Quality of bird descriptions: most prominent field

marks, size, habits, ecology, voice, variation.

Includes DVD of 587 downloadable bird songs of

138 species.

Author’s Credentials: Outstanding. Floyd is editor of

Birding Magazine, the American Birding Asso-

ciation’s publication, has published widely, taught

field ornithology, and led birding trips and work-

shops throughout North America.

Value: high quality, well bound, water resistant, soft

cover at a reasonable price.

While a little too big and heavy to use as a

field guide to carry in one’s pocket, this easy to use

book provides a superb back up reference.

There’s a new kid in town, and he’s not likely to be friendly. A scale insect, new to the United States as well as to science, has been documented on Sanibel. As of printing, the insect is being called croton scale; entomologists have not yet given a scientific name to the new pest. First discovered in Marathon, Florida on the ornamental plant croton in April of 2008, it has spread very quickly throughout south Florida, with verified reports from Lee, Collier, Palm Beach, Bro-ward, Miami-Dade, and Monroe counties. The croton scale (similar to all scale insects) feeds by sucking the fluids from the leaves and stems of plants. Small infestations will often result in discol-ored leaves or defoliation. In severe infestations, if enough of the leaves are damaged over a period of time, the plant may eventually die. More noticeable than direct damage from the scale insect is a side effect of the scale’s presence. Sooty mold, a dense, black powder-like substance, grows on the scale’s excre-ment, a sugary, sticky substance called hon-eydew. Often a scale infestation will be rec-ognized only by an outbreak of sooty mold. While sooty mold itself will not kill a plant outright, it is often unsightly and messy in a land-scape. Recognizing the fe-male croton scale is not particularly diffi-cult. They are large and oval, approxi-mately 1/8 to ¼ inch long by 1/16 inch wide, yellowish-green with dark striations, and will be found covering the tips of stems. Males are significantly smaller, often found on the undersides of leaves, and are whitish in color. Host plants for this insect are extremely wide rang-ing, including both native and non-native species. As of printing, over 50 plant species in over 25 different plant families have been verified as hosts. Anecdo-tally, our native gumbo limbo and strangler fig seem to be the most susceptible local species; however, firebush, paradise tree, marlberry, wild coffee, mas-tic, seagrape, and myrsine, among many others have made the notorious host list. Other plants are being

NEW INSECT ON THE BLOCK by Jenny Evans SCCF Native Plant Nursery Manager

Female croton scales, seen here on a

firebush, are greenish-yelllow with

darker striations and larger in size than

The Pileated Woodpecker Spring 09 page 5

being explored for their effectiveness against the cro-ton scale. With time, it is possible that this outbreak will be controlled by a natural predator; however, we will certainly be keeping tabs on its status as the year continues. Feel free to stop by the nursery or give us a call if you have further questions about the croton scale. (croton scale,

sooty mold):

Sooty mold, seen

here on myrsine, is

often found on

affected plants as

an unsightly side

effect.

New Insect, continued Meanwhile, seaward and landward of the Blind Pass bridge

160,000 cubic yards of sand are being dredged to open

Blind Pass. Much of this sand is being used to renourish

Turner Beach. When completed, the opening at the bridge

will be 110 feet wide with a water depth in the channel of

ten feet. The tide is anticipated to rip through the pass at 3.5

feet per second during high tide.

Bird monitoring volunteers include:

NESTING BIRD MONITORING PRO-

GRAM AT BLIND PASS by Malcolm and Sue Harpham

Chris Andrews Paul Andrews Shirley Bohnert Lorraine Cowl Marty Culverhouse Gary Dutton Gary Eertmoed Carol Gestwicki Ron Gestwicki Tim Gardner Alan Gast Phyllis Gresham Jim Griffith Bette Harig Malcolm Harpham Sue Harpham Em Hayes Polly Huntington Sam Huntington Harold Johnstone Barbara Kennedy

Ruth Kitchen Carolyn Kuester Stanley Kwiecien Barbara McClure Dale McGinley Cary Matthiessen Brian Mishell Dolores Michell Marian Poole Joan Rener Ann Scott Jim Scott Jerry Sherman Peter Thornley John Thornton Annie Vanderbilt Bill Venderbilt Hugh Verry Tom Williams Greg Woodham Ruth Woodham

Every morning at daybreak San Cap Audubon

volunteers can be seen walking along Turner

Beach just east of the bridge separating Sanibel

from Captiva watching for mating or nesting

behavior for three critical shorebirds: snowy

plovers, Wilson’s plovers, and least terns. If

these critical shorebirds are observed nesting,

the area where they are located will be staked

off.

More than forty skilled birdwatchers are par-

ticipating in this bird monitoring program

which began on February 15th and may extend

until July 15th. These volunteers are monitor-

ing the beach area near Blind Pass.

Photo of Blind Pass Dredging Operations by SCCF and LCMCD

The Pileated Woodpecker Spring 09 page 6

Science on Sanibel: “Implications of Spoonbill

And Stork Research”

An interested audience gathered recently to hear Ja-

son Lauritsen, (right) Assistant Director of Cork-

screw Sanctuary, and Dr. Jerry Lorenz, (far right)

Tavernier Research Director. Chris Andrews, Ph.D.,

(upper right) organized the event. Research makes it

clear that human impact on wetlands and the food

supply for these key species is both destructive and

growing.

Photos by Brian Mishell.

President of the International Osprey Foundation Tim Gardner hosted the

28th Annual Meeting of IOF last month. Dating back to 1981, the Foun-

dation was begun at the suggestion of Charles LeBuff. Since then it has

grown, with many members in the US, Canada and around the world.

They are now able to make research grants totaling around $4000 every

year. Tim reported a stable and happy osprey population on Sanibel Is-

land, and noted that in collaboration with Jim Griffith there have been 85

new nesting platforms built and erected in just the past two years.

One of the highlights of the evening was “Bird” Westall giving a

truly remarkable rendition of the various calls of the osprey, all at appro-

priate decibel levels! The greeting call; triumphant call (possibly in re-

sponse to an eagle in the area); the anxious call (which chicks may initi-

ate); and the alarm call, the one that is most important for humans to rec-

ognize to alert them that they may be too close for the osprey’s com-

fort. The other highlight was a most interesting talk given by Dr. Rob

Bieeregarrd, Research Professor at UNC Charlotte, detailing osprey be-

havior, habitat, and migration patterns of the over 7000 ospreys in the

Chesapeake Bay area. Rob will be one of our speakers at next year’s

programs. Be sure to be on hand for that.

And please check out the great website for the Osprey Foundation to read

all the latest news and see great pictures.

www.osprey.com

INTERNATIONAL OSPREY FOUNDATION

ANNUAL MEETING

Rob releasing

an osprey

Rob Bieeregaard and Tim Gardner

The Pileated Woodpecker Spring 09 page 7

„LIVING WITH A LIVING DRAGON‟ Kent A. Vliet, Ph.D. of the University of Florida Department of Biology at Gainesville, shared his 30 years of knowledge and ex-perience with alligators in a fascinating talk at the Sanctuary re-cently. He spoke eloquently to a packed house about these an-cient reptiles living in a modern world and the conflicts that en-sue. We have a primordial response akin to what we might feel confronting a dinosaur. In reality, though large and unpredict-able, alligators pose an astronomically small threat. The majority of his talk explained their sophisticated so-cial behavior and the fascinating details of courtship, mating, nesting, and the rearing of their young. Their bellow, only one of 9 or 10 vocalizations, deep and sonorous, is preceded by a roar which is below our hearing range, about 20 htz, and that portion of the bellow is what causes the shower of dancing droplets on the male’s back. (The vapor forced out by this emanation rises as mist and caused the Spaniards to take back tales of dragons in the New World.) Dr. Vliet spoke of the alligators’ great value if there are large enough numbers to play a role in the community. They keep the numbers of prey species in control, which helps create a balance. They protect and indeed help create wetlands. Eco-nomically, they are often farmed for their hide and meat. Their value for tourism cannot be underestimated. Paul Tritak, DDNWR Manager, speaking later, noted that although they have a primitive brain, they quickly associate peo-ple with food, leading directly to their being considered “nuisance” animals, prompting their removal from the Island. There are fewer large alligators - in the past 5 years 170 have been re-moved. There is room here for co-existence; 67 % if the Island is conservation land (which is off limits for control). Rob Loflin, Natural Resources Manager of the City of Sanibel, added that when the few uneducated persons feed alli-gators, this behavior upsets residents who may not want to get involved. The police of the City of Sanibel are the go-betweens who must assess and make sure that only truly nuisance animals get taken.

SAFETY TIPS

Do not feed alligators! Period!

Do not swim outside posted swimming areas.

Be exceptionally vigilant near water’s edge. Never walk pets in that area.

Stay a safe distance from alligators, remembering they can move very quickly if they need to.

Alligators move around; don’t expect the water to be free of them.

Mrs. Virginia King-

solver, winner of one of

San Cap Audubon’s

membership drawings,

gave her membership to

the Sanibel School. She

read an inspiring messge

to Tylor Compton’s

Green Team, a passion-

ate environmental group

trying to make a differ-

ence. We will continue

to honor this member-

ship in

the

future. Dr. Francis Norman Bowles, Jr., 78, died on April 26, 2009 after a

long illness. A pathologist in Atlanta, GA, he retired to Sanibel Is-

land in 1985.

He was a great friend of Sanibel and was extraordinarily generous

with his time and money to the Audubon Society, CROW, F.I.S.H.,

The International Osprey Foundation, Hospice and the Sanibel-

Captiva Conservation Foundation. He also volunteered at Lee Me-

morial Hospital and was actively involved in the leadership at Saint

John the Apostle MCC for many years. A celebration of the life of

Dr. Bowles will be held on Saturday, May 34, 2009 at 11:00 AM at

Saint John the Apostle MCC at 3049 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers.